WASHINGTON (August 6, 2013) – Two analysts with the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) are seeking to expand understanding of innovation and its impact on society through participation in the Millennial Trains Project’s (MTP) inaugural seven-city summer tour beginning August 8.

Travis Korte and Matthew Stepp were two of the 40 enterprising millennials recruited to participate in the transcontinental train journey, with a focus on capturing the spirit of America’s heartland through projects focused on art, policy, science and education. Stops along the way include: San Francisco, Denver, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Omaha, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C.

Korte, a research analyst with ITIF, seeks to illustrate how data, both big and small, is changing communities all across America. At each MTP locality, he will invite leaders involved in data-related projects—from government and civic leaders engaged in open data projects to entrepreneurs creating the next big data applications—to share their ideas and stories. Just as Alexis de Tocqueville used his journey across America to capture how democracy was transforming the U.S. economy and society, Travis will use this as an opportunity to capture how new uses of data are transforming our nation. Please visit Travis’ project page to learn more.

Stepp, an ITIF senior analyst, seeks to engage researchers, policymakers, academics, and business people along MTP’s route who are involved in developing and commercializing cheap, innovative clean energy technologies. He will work to connect those stories to the federal policies and policymakers that are either enhancing or inhibiting the development of that technology. By presenting how actions in Washington are helping or hurting the development of community energy innovation, Matt hopes to promote the policy reforms and enhanced federal investment that are necessary to make cheap, high quality renewable energy technologies a reality. To learn more about Matt’s efforts visit his Tumblr blog that he will be updating throughout the trip.

“Numerous communities across the United States are utilizing innovative data and clean energy technologies to improve numerous aspects of society,” adds Robert Atkinson, President of ITIF. “Through this partnership with the Millennial Trains Project, ITIF can further understanding of the use of these important technology areas and how federal policy can further innovation and adoption across the nation.”

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The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) is a non-profit, non-partisan think tank whose mission is to formulate and promote public policies to advance technological innovation and productivity internationally, in Washington, and in the states. Recognizing the vital role of technology in ensuring prosperity, ITIF focuses on innovation, productivity, and digital economy issues. Learn more at www.itif.org.